Procedures that are supposed to help people get better but instead cause catastrophic injuries, or even death, are some of the most difficult situations that a Cleveland-area family can face. In addition to a mountain of unexpected medical bills which could keep coming in for a lifetime, there is the debilitating emotional pain and suffering to deal with. Many physicians and insurance companies make things even worse. They refuse to give a simple apology and instead pressure victims into settling cases.
Ohio medical malpractice lawyers are here to help, especially when it comes to the complex web of medical malpractice laws in the Buckeye State.
Problems Victims Face
Many times, physicians are less than forthcoming about the mistakes they make. This is particularly true with regard to birth injuries. Many times, the doctor tells families that there were “some complications” but that everything is fine now. Since the patient was under extreme duress, to say the least, and the birthing partner was focused on the birth and not on the doctors, the family accepts this half truth.
But eventually, it becomes clear that everything is not fine. Sometimes that moment occurs in a few weeks, and sometimes the birth injury is not apparent for years.
When issues develop, doctors and their insurance companies are usually only concerned with protecting their own interests. That usually means pressuring families into a settlement before they know all the facts. In these cases, it’s very difficult to know where to turn.
Matters We Handle
The best medical malpractice attorneys deal with a wide range of conditions because they are experienced in both the applicable law and in advocating for different kinds of victims. Some common areas of practice include:
- Birth Injuries: Sudden problems often develop in the delivery room, mostly related to shoulder dystocia, a condition in which the baby is too large to move down the mother’s birth canal. Since brain damage begins in only a few minutes, many doctors follow a reckless path to prevent injuries that they should have already taken steps to prevent.
- Misdiagnosis: Cancer is the most commonly misdiagnosed illness. Overall, about twelve million Americans are misdiagnosed every year. Many times, rushed or prideful doctors do not take the time to truly examine their patients and determine their illnesses before embarking on a certain approach.
- Surgical Errors: More than just random horror stories, surgical mistakes are one of the leading causes of unintentional death in the United States.
- Nursing Home Abuse: Overcrowded and understaffed long-term care facilities are breeding grounds for incidents like resident-on-resident assaults, medical mistakes, and various forms of staff-on-resident abuse.
Compensation and justice is available in all these cases in the form of money damages. Victims are entitled to compensation for their economic losses, such as medical bills, and their noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. Justice often comes in the form of punitive damages, which draw attention to the issues at hand and help protect future potential victims.
Don’t face a medical malpractice situation alone. Instead, reach out to a qualified attorney today.
